Water intake amount management device

ABSTRACT

A water intake amount management device includes a cup body and a cup cover. The cup body is used to store water, and includes at least one communicating tube and at least one float. The communicating tube is in communication with the stored water. The float is disposed in the communicating tube, and floats on a surface of the stored water. The cup cover is combined with the cup body, and includes a man-machine control interface. When driven, the man-machine control interface senses a distance between the cup cover and the float, converts the distance to a plurality of water amount values, calculates a water intake amount according to the plurality of water amount values, and prompts a user according to the water intake amount.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to Patent Application No(s). 097151829 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. onDec. 31, 2008, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a liquid flow management device, andmore particularly to a water intake amount management device.

2. Related Art

Human body is composed of various substances, in which water occupiesthe largest amount. The percentage of water in the body is different byreason of the age, gender, and obesity degree. For example, for an obesefemale adult, the percentage is 45 percent, and for a thin infant, thepercentage is 80 percent. For male adults, the average percentage ofwater in the body is approximately 60 percent, which is higher than thatof female adults (50 percent). The percentage of water in the body of aninfant is 70 percent, so the water loss in the infant body relativelyeasily results in complications.

Each cell in the body contains a large amount of water, whichapproximately occupies two thirds of the water content in the body. Thewater out of the cells, for example, blood is one of the well-known bodyfluids, and the rapid loss of blood may be fatal. In addition, forexample, gastric juice, cerebrospinal fluid, and intercellular fluid arebody fluids in the body. In the human body, the water may freely flowamong different parts, so as to reach a balanced state. When thecapability of tending to be balanced is obstructed, pathologicalphenomena may occur.

Many medical researches prove that drinking more water is beneficial tophysiological circulation and metabolism, but if excessive water isdrunk, the water content in the body cannot be properly adjusted, suchthat the electrolyte of the body fluid is unbalanced. A correct waterdrinking habit is required to control the water intake amount properly,so as to free the body from burden and to help the metabolism.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,959 has disclosed a hydration insuring system forhuman beings. The system includes an oral-suction-activated flow meter,which is used to measure and display a volume of the fluid drawn througha tube from a reservoir. An optional check valve prevents the fluid fromflowing from the mouth of a user back to the reservoir. Mode and controlbuttons control the operation of a microprocessor and a display.Alphanumeric and graphical displays display the volume withdrawn as afunction of time or other events. Drink reminder alarms are providedthrough a display or a loudspeaker to alert the user when it is time fora drink to ensure proper hydration.

However, the patent still needs improvement. Therefore, it is a problemto be solved by the researchers to provide a water intake amountmanagement device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above problem, the present invention is a water intakeamount management device, which is capable of measuring, recording, anddisplaying water intake amount information of each time of a human body,so as to prevent diseases and manage health conditions, and is capableof prompting a user to complement water content for the body at propertime and with a proper amount, thereby achieving a correct waterdrinking concept and manner.

Accordingly, the water amount management device of the present inventioncomprises a cup body and a cup cover. The cup body is used to storewater, and comprises at least one communicating tube and at least onefloat. The communicating tube is in communication with the stored water,and the float is disposed in the communicating tube and floats on asurface of the stored water. The cup cover is combined with the cupbody, and comprises a man-machine control interface. When driven, theman-machine control interface is used to sense a distance between thecup cover and the float, convert the distance to a plurality of wateramount values, calculate a water intake amount according to theplurality of water amount values, and prompt a user according to thewater intake amount.

In the water intake amount management device, a distance sensing module,the communicating tube, and the float are utilized. If a flow rateexists in the cup body, the float is made to have a displacement. Thus,a volume flow rate may be calculated by measuring changes of a waterlevel in the cup body. In addition, standard water intake amountparameters of a normal person or a patient are set through theman-machine control interface, such that after the user drinks an amountof water, according to the set parameters, comprising a single waterintake amount and a cumulative water intake amount, a monitoringfunction and a displaying function are performed. The water intakeamount is calculated by a controller, and a time monitoring and alarmingmodule prompts the user to complement the water content at the propertime and with the proper amount, so as to solve the problem that aperson cannot determine the water intake amount each day, therebyachieving the correct water drinking concept and manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description given herein below for illustration only, and thusare not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded three-dimensional view of a firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded three-dimensional view of a secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic combined three-dimensional view of the secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded three-dimensional view of a thirdembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the third embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a circuit of a man-machine controlinterface of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a water level and a volume of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded three-dimensional view of a firstembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a water intakeamount management device 100 of the present invention comprises a cupbody 10 and a cup cover 20.

The cup body 10 has a cylinder shape. The cup body 10 is a hollowstructure, and is used to store water or a liquid. The cup body 10comprises a first communicating tube 11. The first communicating tube 11is formed on an inner wall of the cup body 10.

The first communicating tube 11 is in communication with the water orthe liquid stored in the cup body. A water inlet 11 a (as shown in FIG.4) is opened in a bottom end of the first communicating tube 11. Anexhaust port 11 b is opened in a top end of the first communicating tube11. The water inlet 11 a is used to enable the water or the liquid inthe cup body 10 to flow in. The exhaust port 11 b is used to exhaust airin the first communicating tube 11.

A float 13 is an inverted cone structure. The float 13 iscorrespondingly disposed in the first communicating tube 11, and floatson a surface of the stored water. With changes of a water level in thefirst communicating tube 11, the float 13 in the first communicatingtube 11 has a corresponding displacement. The float 13 is the invertedcone structure, so as to prevent the problem of bubbles, and enhance themeasurement accuracy.

The cup cover 20 is combined with the cup body 10, and the cup cover 20comprises a man-machine control interface 22.

The man-machine control interface 22 comprises a first distance sensingmodule 220, a press key module 222, a controller 223, a timer 224, amemory 225, a display module 226, an alarming module 227, and a powersource module 228.

When driven, the man-machine control interface 22 is used to sense adistance between the cup cover 20 and the float 13. The man-machinecontrol interface 22 converts the distance continually sensed by thefirst distance sensing module 220 to a plurality of water amount values.The man-machine control interface 22 calculates a water intake amount(single and/or cumulative water intake amount) according to theplurality of water amount values, and prompts a user according to thewater intake amount. The prompt may be provided, for example, throughflickering display or a sound generated by a speaker. In addition, theuser may also press the press key module 222 to drive the man-machinecontrol interface 22 after opening the cover and drinking up the water.The man-machine control interface 22 may be driven by the user or thetimer.

FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded three-dimensional view of a secondembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, a water intakeamount management device 100 of the present invention comprises a cupbody 10, a cup cover 20, and a straw 30.

The cup body 10 has a cylinder shape. The cup body 10 is a hollowstructure, and is used to store water or a liquid. The cup body 10comprises a first communicating tube 11 and a second communicating tube12. The first communicating tube 11 and the second communicating tube 12are respectively formed on an inner wall of the cup body 10.

A water inlet 11 a is opened in a bottom end of the first communicatingtube 11. An exhaust port 11 b is opened on a top end of the firstcommunicating tube 11. The water inlet 11 a is used to enable the wateror the liquid in the cup body 10 to flow in. The exhaust port 11 b isused to exhaust air in the first communicating tube 11. Similarly, thesecond communicating tube 12 has the same structure as the firstcommunicating tube 11, so it is not described again here.

Floats 13 are inverted cone structures. The floats 13 are respectivelycorrespondingly disposed in the first communicating tube 11 and thesecond communicating tube 12, and float on a surface of the storedwater. With changes of a water level in the first communicating tube 11,the float 13 in the first communicating tube 11 has a correspondingdisplacement. Similarly, with changes of a water level in the secondcommunicating tube 12, the float 13 in the second communicating tube 12has a corresponding displacement. The floats 13 are the inverted conestructure, so as to prevent the problem of bubbles, and enhance themeasurement accuracy.

The cup cover 20 is combined with the cup body 10, and the cup cover 20comprises a man-machine control interface 22.

A hole 21 is formed on the central position of the cup cover 20. Thehole 21 is a round shape. A size of the hole 21 is corresponding to anouter diameter of the straw 30, such that the straw 30 passes throughthe cup cover 20.

The man-machine control interface 22 comprises a first distance sensingmodule 220, a second distance sensing module 221, a press key module222, a controller 223, a timer 224, a memory 225, a display module 226,an alarming module 227, and a power source module 228. When driven, theman-machine control interface 22 is used to sense a distance between thecup cover 20 and the float 13. The man-machine control interface 22converts the distance continually sensed by the first distance sensingmodule 220 and the second distance sensing module 221 to a plurality ofwater amount values. The man-machine control interface 22 calculates awater intake amount (single and/or cumulative water intake amount)according to the plurality of water amount values, and prompts a useraccording to the water intake amount. The prompt may be provided, forexample, through flickering display or a sound generated by a speaker.In addition, the user may also press the press key module 222 to drivethe man-machine control interface 22 after opening the cover anddrinking up the water. The man-machine control interface 22 may bedriven by the user or the timer.

The straw 30 passes through the hole 21 of the cup cover 20, such thatthe user may suck the water in the cup body 10. The straw 30 of thepresent invention is a disposable straw, so it is relatively sanitary onusing.

FIG. 3 is a schematic combined three-dimensional view of the secondembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the cup body 10does not store the water or liquid, so the floats 13 are respectivelylocated on the bottom positions of the first communicating tube 11 andthe second communicating tube 12. The positions of the floats 13 may bedetected through the first distance sensing module 220 or the seconddistance sensing module 221, and the positions may be defined as alowest water amount value by the memory 225 and the controller 223.Similarly, when the cup body 10 stores the water or liquid, the floats13 are respectively located on the top positions of the firstcommunicating tube 11 and the second communicating tube 12, and thepositions may be defined as a highest water amount value by the memory225 and the controller 223.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the second embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 4, the cup body 10 stores the water 40, sothe water 40 flows into the first communicating tube 11 through thewater inlet 11 a, and the float 13 has the corresponding displacementwith the changes of the water level. Finally, the position of the float13 is corresponding to the water surface height of the water 40 out ofthe first communicating tube 11 (according to the communicating tubeprinciple). The exhaust port 11 b is used to exhaust air in the firstcommunicating tube 11. Similarly, the water 40 flows into the secondcommunicating tube 12 through the water inlet 12 a, and the float 13 hasthe corresponding displacement with the changes of the water levelheight. Finally, the position of the float 13 is corresponding to thewater surface height of the water 40 out of the second communicatingtube 12 (according to the communicating tube principle). The exhaustport 12 b is used to exhaust air in the second communicating tube 12.Here, the positions of the floats 13 are detected through the firstdistance sensing module 220 or the second distance sensing module 221,and the positions are defined as an initial water amount value by thememory 225 and the controller 223.

FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded three-dimensional view of a thirdembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, a water intakeamount management device 200 of the present invention comprises a cupbody 10, a cup cover 20, and a straw 30. The difference between thethird embodiment and the second embodiment lies in that top ends of afirst communicating tube 11 and a second communicating tube 12 of thethird embodiment are connected to the cup cover 20, and the remainingstructure is the same as that of the second embodiment, so it is notdescribed again here.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the third embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 6, the water intake amount management device200 of the present invention comprises a cup body 10, a cup cover 20,and a straw 30. The difference between the third embodiment and thesecond embodiment lies that the top ends of the first communicating tube11 and the second communicating tube 12 of the third embodiment areconnected to the cup cover 20, and the remaining structure is the sameas the second embodiment, so it is not described again here.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a circuit of the man-machine controlinterface 22 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, theman-machine control interface 22 of the present invention comprises afirst distance sensing module 220, a second distance sensing module 221,a press key module 222, a controller 223, a timer 224, a memory 225, adisplay module 226, an alarming module 227, and a power source module228.

The first distance sensing module 220 is connected to the controller223. The first distance sensing module 220 senses the current waterlevel in the cup body 20 in a non-contact sensing manner (for example,infrared sensing, laser sensing, or ultrasonic sensing), so as toacquire the water amount values. The first distance sensing module 220comprises a sensor (for example, infrared, laser source, or ultrasonic)circuit, a signal amplifying circuit, a filter, and an analog-to-digitalconverting circuit. The first distance sensing module 220 adopts thenon-contact sensing manner, so as to reduce the error caused by thesuction force of an air flow, and to avoid the abrasion of movablemechanical parts. Therefore, the life of the first distance sensingmodule 220 is relatively long.

The second distance sensing module 221 is connected to the controller223. The second distance sensing module 221 senses the current waterlevel in the cup body 20 in the non-contact sensing manner (for example,infrared sensing, laser sensing, or ultrasonic sensing), so as toacquire the water amount values. The second distance sensing module 221comprises a sensor (for example, infrared, laser source, or ultrasonic)circuit, a signal amplifying circuit, a filter, and an analog-to-digitalconverting circuit. The second distance sensing module 221 adopts thenon-contact sensing manner, so as to reduce the error caused by thesuction force of an air flow, and to avoid the abrasion of movablemechanical parts. Therefore, the life of the second distance sensingmodule 221 is relatively long. In addition, the man-machine controlinterface 22 of the present invention may also use a group of distancesensing modules and floats to sense the water amount values.

The press key module 222 is connected to the controller 223. The presskey module 222 is used to enable the user to input parameter values. Theparameter values comprise water drinking time, current time, age,weight, gender, disease, and/or a standard water intake amount. Thepress key module 222 comprises a power source switch, a reset switch, aconfirm key, a cancel key, and number keys.

The controller 223 receives the distances sensed by the first distancesensing module 220 and the second distance sensing module 221, andconverts the distances to the water amount values. When driven, thecontroller 223 converts the plurality of received water amount values toa time interval and a corresponding water intake amount. After comparingthe water intake amount and the time interval with the suggested waterintake amount and time value of the memory 225, the controller 223prompts the user through the display module 226 and/or the alarmingmodule 227.

In addition, the controller 223 may also receive the parameter valuesprovided by the press key module 222 and perform an operation procedure.The controller 223 generates a control signal and data according to aresult of the operation procedure. The controller 223 may also bereplaced by a microprocessor.

The timer 224 is connected to the controller 223. The timer 224 is usedto calculate the time. The timer 224 receives the control signal sentfrom the controller 223, so as to start to time or stop timing.

The memory 225 is connected to the controller 223. The memory 225 storesa plurality of time values and a plurality of corresponding suggestedwater intake amounts. In addition, the memory 225 may also store thedata, the water amount values, the parameter values, the result of theoperation procedure, and a water demand table (which, for example, isestablished corresponding to the water intake amount each day accordingto age, weight, gender, disease, and other conditions), such that thecontroller 223 may look up and read the stored content, therebyperforming the relevant operation procedure.

The display module 226 is connected to the controller 223. The displaymodule 226 receives the data sent from the controller, so as to displaythe water intake amount information (for example, the single waterintake amount, the cumulative water intake amount, the watercomplementing time for the next time, the water complementing amount forthe next time, etc.). The display module 226 is, for example, a liquidcrystal display or a touch display panel.

The alarming module 227 is connected to the controller 223. The alarmingmodule 227 receives the control signal sent from the controller 223, soas to generate an alarming effect (for example, flickering displayand/or a sound generated by a speaker) to prompt the user.

The power source module 228 is respectively connected to the firstdistance sensing module 220, the second distance sensing module 221, thepress key module 222, the controller 223, the timer 224, the memory 225,the display module 226, and the alarming module 227. The power sourcemodule 228 is used to provide an electric power required by theoperation of the first distance sensing module 220, the second distancesensing module 221, the press key module 222, the controller 223, thetimer 224, the memory 225, the display module 226, and the alarmingmodule 227. The power source module 228 may be, for example, a DCbattery or a rectified electric power. In addition, a waterproof leakagecircuit breaker may be installed in the water intake amount managementdevice 100, so as to enhance the security.

A signal control process of the water intake amount management device100 is described as follows. Firstly, the switch in the press key module222 is pressed, and the first distance sensing module 220 and the seconddistance sensing module 221 sense the positions of the floats 13, so asto measure the water level. Then, the data measured by the firstdistance sensing module 220 and the second distance sensing module 221is delivered to the controller 223 after being operated by the signalamplifying circuit, the filter, and the analog-to-digital convertingcircuit, so as to acquire the water amount values. Next, the controller223 determines to drink the water or not according to the acquired wateramount values (when the heights of the two water amount values aredifferent, the water amount is reduced). If the water levels aredifferent, the timer is started, and according to whether the two wateramount values are the same or not, it is determined whether the drinkingis stopped or not (if the heights represented by the two water amountvalues are the same, it indicates that the drinking is stopped, so thewater amount value is not changed), and the timer 224 stops timing.Finally, the controller 223 calculates the water intake volume and thevolume flow rate according to a relation between a liquid level signaland time.

A control process of the man-machine control interface 22 of the waterintake amount management device 100 is described as follows. Firstly,the parameter values input by the user are acquired through the presskey module 222, and the signal is output to the controller 223 for dataanalysis and judgment. For example, according to different weights ofthe user, the changes are performed, and the water intake amount datarequired by the user every day and every hour is calculated. Next,firstly the initial water amount in the water intake amount managementdevice 100 is determined; when the water is drunk every time, the heightdifference change of the water level is sensed by the first distancesensing module 220 and the second distance sensing module 221, such thatthe single water intake amount is calculated by the controller 223, andis immediately displayed by the display module 226. At the same time,the measured data is sent to the memory 225 for storage andaccumulation, and the controller 223 determines whether the water iscomplemented or the set standard water intake amount is reachedaccording to the time interval between the two batches of data. If thestandard water intake amount is not reached, the display module 226displays the data, and the alarming module 227 sends the alarm. Inaddition, the controller 223 subtracts the cumulative water intakeamount from the initial water amount, so as to acquire the remainingwater intake amount in the water intake amount management device 100,and display the remaining water intake amount through the display module226, such that the user knows whether to add the water or not. Forexample, the water drinking time is set to two hours, and if the userdoes not drink the water for two hours, the alarming module 227 sendsthe alarm.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the water level and the volume of thepresent invention. As shown in FIG. 8, an original volume V₀ (i.e. thehighest water amount value) in the cup body 10 of the present inventionmay be calculated through the following Formula (1):

V ₀=(r ₁ ² +r ₁ *r ₂ +r ₂ ²)/3*π*H  (1)

in which r₁ is a radius of a bottom of the cup, r₂′ is a radius of amiddle of the cup, r₂ is a radius of a top of the cup, and H is a heightof the cup body.

After the water amount value is changed and is reduced to the liquidsurface height h:

r₂′=((H−h)/tan θ)+r₁

The current volume V′ may be acquired through the following Formula (2):

V′=(r ₁ ² +r ₁ *r ₂ ′+r ₂′²)/3*π*(H−h).  (2)

The volume change amount is ΔV=V₀−V′

A mass difference is ΔM=ΔV*ρ, in which ρ (water density: 4° C.=1(g/cm³),15° C.=0.9991(g/cm³), 25° C.=0.9971(g/cm³), and winedensity=0.79(g/cm³)).

An average mass flow is Fav=ΔM/Δt, in which Δt is a measurement timeinterval.

An angle θ=tan⁻¹ (H/r₁ ²−r₁), in which if the cup body 10 is a cylinder,the radius of the bottom of the cup r₁=radius of the middle of the cupr₂′=radius of the top of the cup r₂.

To sum up, in the water intake amount management device of the presentinvention, through the water intake amount management device, thedistance sensing module, the communicating tube, and the float areutilized. If a flow rate exists in the cup body, the float is made tohave a displacement. Thus, a volume flow rate may be calculated bymeasuring changes of a water level in the cup body. In addition,standard water intake amount parameters of a normal person or a patientare set through the man-machine control interface, such that after theuser drinks an amount of water, according to the set parameters,comprising a single water intake amount and a cumulative water intakeamount, a monitoring function and a displaying function are performed.The water intake amount is calculated by a controller, and a timemonitoring and alarming module prompts the user to complement the watercontent at the proper time and with the proper amount, so as to solvethe problem that a person cannot determine the water intake amount eachday, thereby achieving the correct water drinking concept and manner.

1. A water intake amount management device, comprising: a cup body, forstoring water, and comprising: at least one communicating tube, incommunication with the stored water; and at least one float, disposed inthe communicating tube and floating on a surface of the stored water;and a cup cover, combined with the cup body, and comprising aman-machine control interface, wherein when driven, the man-machinecontrol interface is used to sense a distance between the cup cover andthe float, convert the distance to a plurality of water amount values,calculate a water intake amount according to the plurality of wateramount values, and prompt a user according to the water intake amount.2. The water intake amount management device according to claim 1,wherein the man-machine control interface comprises: at least onedistance sensing module, sensing the distance between the cup cover andthe float in a non-contact sensing manner; a timer, for calculatingtime; a memory, storing a plurality of time values and a plurality ofcorresponding suggested water intake amounts; a controller, receivingand converting the distance to the water amount values, wherein whendriven, the controller converts the plurality of received water amountvalues to a time interval and the corresponding water intake amount, andprompts the user after comparing the water intake amount and the timeinterval with the suggested water intake amount and the time value inthe memory; a press key module, for enabling the user to input aparameter value; a display module, for displaying water intake amountinformation; an alarming module, for generating a alarming effect toprompt the user; and a power source module, for providing an electricpower required by operation of the distance sensing module, the timer,the memory, the controller, the press key module, the display module,and the alarming module.
 3. The water intake amount management deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the parameter value comprises a waterdrinking time, a current time, an age, a weight, a gender, diseases, anda standard water intake amount.
 4. The water intake amount managementdevice according to claim 2, wherein the water intake amount informationcomprises a single water intake amount and a cumulative water intakeamount.
 5. The water intake amount management device according to claim1, wherein a hole is opened in the cup cover.
 6. The water intake amountmanagement device according to claim 5, comprising a straw passingthrough the hole of the cup cover, such that the user sucks the water inthe cup body.
 7. The water intake amount management device according toclaim 1, wherein the non-contact sensing manner is infrared sensing,laser sensing, or ultrasonic sensing.
 8. The water intake amountmanagement device according to claim 1, wherein the communicating tubeis formed on an inner wall of the cup body.
 9. The water intake amountmanagement device according to claim 1, wherein a top end of thecommunicating tube is connected to the cup cover.
 10. The water intakeamount management device according to claim 1, wherein an exhaust portis opened on a top end of the communicating tube.
 11. The water intakeamount management device according to claim 1, wherein the float is aninverted cone structure.